2022-02-07 BOCC Wrap-UpBOCC Wrap-Up
February 7, 2022
9:01 a.m.
Present: Commissioner Pollock, Commissioner Swope, Commissioner Grose, County Manager Erik
Martin, Steve Wohld, Becky Butler, Chris Panush, Alison Puckett, Josh Metcalf, Lara McRea, Lee Napier,
Mindy Brooks, Semere Huckleberry, Sherri Dokken, Undersheriff Wes Rethwill, Connie Riker, JP
Anderson (9:20 a.m.), Grace Jimenez (9:22 a.m.)
Guests: Eric Rosane, Nic Scott
Recorder: Rieva Lester
Travel policy update
Erik Martin said a previous travel policy required board approval over a certain monetary threshold.
Erik said a previous board had indicated BOCC was not required but that the forms were left on the
intranet.
The commissioners directed staff to sunset the old travel policy and to instead rely on directors to
monitor their budgets.
COVID-19 leave policy
The commissioners agreed to set the cap for the use of COVID leave policy at 80 hours, meaning
employees could apply for help once their leave balance hits 80 hours.
Erik said the balance of donated COVID leave was at roughly $40,000 a week or so ago.
Erik discussed options for the county’s COVID-19 leave bank:
• Transfer cash from fund to fund for the donations received from county employees.
• Use American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding to cover COVID-19 leave.
Becky Butler said Treasury has said covering leave is an approved use of ARPA funds.
JP Anderson joined at 9:20 a.m.
Commissioner Pollock noted that private sector employers may want access to funding to cover leave
for their employees too. The group discussed private versus public entities.
Grace Jimenez joined at 9:22 a.m.
Grace noted that the use of ARPA funds would streamline the COVID-19 leave process.
Commissioner Grose made a motion to allocate $50,000 toward the Lewis County leave pool.
Commissioner Pollock seconded. Motion passed 3-0.
The commissioners directed staff to use the ARPA funding first and then use the balance of donated
time once the ARPA funding is depleted.
Historical Society vacancy
The commissioners directed Rieva Lester to advertise the position internally and to the public.
COVID-19
JP Anderson said other states are relaxing mask mandates. He discussed mask fatigue locally.
Correspondence
Commissioner Grose discussed a letter a constituent submitted regarding a request to use ARPA funds
to help with a center for veterans.
The group asked to further discuss the matter at the upcoming Directors’ Update.
Commissioner Swope discussed a recent letter regarding a homeless camp, noting that the city already
has responded to the issue.
Announcements / new business
Commissioner Grose discussed a recent Fish Recovery Board meeting. He said the state has initiated a
license buy-back program. He said the move creates concern about the supply chain. He said the group
also had discussed funding for culvert replacement projects.
Erik Martin said he has been appointed to the state’s Capital Projects Advisory Review Board and might
be appointed to the Early Learning Board.
Meeting adjourned at 9:45 a.m.